Attitudes of Undergraduate Medical Students toward Elderly Patient Care: A Positive Perspective?

S Jayagandhi¹*, Sujatha MP², Parthasarathy R³, Prahan Kumar R⁴, Magi Murugan⁵ and Rema Devi^6
1Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry
²Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry
³Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry
⁴Professor and Head, Department of Community Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Puducherry
⁵Professor, Department of Anatomy, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry
⁶Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry
*Corresponding Author: S Jayagandhi, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Puducherry.

Published: February 20, 2025

DOI: 10.55162/MCMS.08.274

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Abstract  

Aging is a natural process that brings physical, psychological, and social changes, often increasing vulnerability to illness and leading to frequent hospital visits (Leung S et al., 2011). With years of medical expertise, healthcare professionals play a vital role in managing the aging population. According to the National Health Policy, India's life expectancy is 68.7 years—67.4 years for males and 70.2 years for females. As life expectancy increases, the risk of morbidity also rises (Ibrahim R et al., 2013). Therefore, it is crucial to assess the attitudes of undergraduate medical students toward elderly care and promote awareness (Yen CH et al., 2009). Introducing necessary changes in medical education can cultivate a positive attitude, greater empathy, and enhanced knowledge in geriatric healthcare.

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